Ready To Take Your Business Global?
If you are a fast-growing Greater Manchester business ready to take the next step towards international expansion, then take a look how our brand-new International Scale Up Programme can support your growth ambitions.
Delivered by the Enhanced Trade Partnership in Greater Manchester, this programme brings together the combined expertise and resources of the GM Business Growth Hub, Department for Business and Trade, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Together, we’re building a globally competitive, internationally connected business community right here in Greater Manchester.
This is your opportunity to join a high-impact cohort of Greater Manchester businesses and gain the strategic support needed to scale up successfully on the world stage.
Who Is The Programme For?
We’re looking for established, high-growth potential businesses that are:
- Must be based in Greater Manchester
- Operating for at least 3+ years in the domestic UK market*
Have a minimum of 5 staff - Have a minimum of £250,000 in turnover*
- You can be either a first-time exporter or have international trading experience.
- You have a scalable product or service ready for international markets - Ensure you provide strong evidence of why your product and/or services have strong scalability.
- Ideally, have registered a year-on-year growth
All sectors welcome - Ready to commit time and resources for this 6-month programme, although individual tailored activities for which a grant has been allocated will have a max of 12-month period to take place (e.g. Specialised Training, Consultancy, Market Visits, Trade Exhibitions, etc).
*If you are a start-up or business operating for less than 3 years and/or have a turnover of less than £250,000, which can demonstrate fast growth, please email us at international@growthco.uk. An adviser will be in touch to discuss your case and potential application.
What You Can Expect
The International Scale-Up Programme will offer you:
- Access up to £2,500 grant to support our exporting strategy (subject to companies attending mandatory activities in the programme)
- Help developing a robust and sustainable export action plan
- 1-2-1 support from a dedicated International Trade Adviser
- Support with trade missions, market visits, and introductions to overseas partner
- Fully funded expert-led workshops
- Access to Export Champions and Mentors
- 20% off on your 1st year of Membership with Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (New Members only)
- Access preferential rates on GMCC’s wide range of international trade services. Including their British Chamber of Commerce Foundation Award on International Trade.
Trade Diagnostic - Understand how export ready your business is
Export Strategy - Develop a robust global growth strategy
Export Training - Preparing for success
Making Connections - Meet Market Experts and Potential Partners
Access to Funding & Getting Paid - Helping you Access New Markets
Customs, Regulations & Documentation - Helping your business remain compliant
Whether you're exporting for the first time or expanding into new regions, we’ll equip you with the tools, networks, and confidence to grow globally.
Key Dates
If your business fits the criteria and you're ready to explore new international markets, don’t miss this opportunity. We will have two cohorts of up to 25 businesses.
Cohort 1
- Applications open until Fri, 31st Oct 2025
- Applications assessed and selection Nov 2025
- Programme starts early Dec 2025
- Export actions plan agreed by Dec 2025
- Group activities by Jan/Feb 2025
- Individual tailored export activity by Nov 2026
Cohort 2
- Applications open Jan 2026
- Applications Deadline: 20th February 2027
- Applications assessed and selected by end Feb/Start of March 2026
- Group Activities start by end March /April 2026
- Individual tailored export activity by Feb 2027
Cohort 2 Applications Now Open!
Are you ready to scale up your business in global markets? Apply now to tap into Greater Manchester Business Support Ecosystem Now!
Apply Now!